A Taste of Morning: You Need to Try
Traditional Taiwanese Breakfast Foods
In Taiwan, breakfast isn’t just a meal. It’s a daily ritual and a delicious celebration of flavor, texture, and comfort. Walk down any street in the early hours and you’ll find mom-and-pop breakfast shops, sizzling griddles, and the unmistakable aroma of soy milk, fried dough, and freshly made scallion pancakes wafting through the air.
Taiwanese breakfasts are a blend of traditional Chinese influences, local street food culture, and a touch of modern flair. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from a roadside stall or sitting down for a full spread at a neighborhood breakfast shop, the variety is endless—and so is the flavor.
From crispy youtiao dipped in warm soy milk to fluffy dan bing rolled with egg and scallions, Taiwan’s morning fare is hearty, affordable, and soul-satisfying. It’s the kind of food that wakes you up—not just because it’s filling, but because it’s that good.
So, if you’re visiting Taiwan or just curious about what locals love to eat in the morning, here’s your guide to some of the most beloved traditional Taiwanese breakfast foods. Get hungry—because breakfast here is anything but boring.
What Locals Love to Eat in the Morning
If there’s one thing you must experience in Taiwan, it’s breakfast. Locals take their morning meals seriously—waking up early to queue outside bustling food stalls, family-run breakfast shops, and corner cafés that serve up comfort on a plate (or in a plastic bag, if you’re on the go).
Taiwanese breakfast isn’t just one or two staple items—it’s a diverse spread of savory, sweet, crispy, soft, and slurp-worthy dishes that’ll leave you wondering why you ever settled for toast and coffee.
Here are some of the most iconic traditional Taiwanese breakfast foods you have to try:
Egg Crepe Rolls (蛋餅)
A breakfast favorite! This is a thin, chewy crepe filled with egg and often topped or stuffed with cheese, ham, corn, tuna, or even hash browns. Each dan bing is cooked to order and rolled up like a breakfast burrito. Add a little sweet soy sauce or chili paste, and you’re good to go.
Sesame Flatbread (燒餅)
Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and topped with toasted sesame seeds—shao bing is often served with fried egg (shao bing jia dan) or stuffed with youtiao (fried dough sticks) for a delicious textural combo. It’s warm, satisfying, and totally addictive.
Fried Dough Sticks (油條)
Often called “Chinese crullers,” these golden sticks are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and made for dipping. They’re commonly paired with soy milk or wrapped inside shao bing. Simple, satisfying, and deeply comforting.
Soy Milk (豆漿)
No Taiwanese breakfast is complete without fresh soy milk. It comes hot or cold, sweet or savory. The savory version (xian dou jiang) is especially popular—seasoned with vinegar, pickles, and a dash of chili oil. Dunk your youtiao into it, and thank us later.
Rice milk (米漿)
A sweet Taiwanese rice and peanut drink (thicker and richer than typical Western rice milk). Sometimes mixed with sesame or served warm at breakfast stands. It’s naturally sweet, light in texture, and often used by people who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or looking for allergen-friendly options (since it’s usually nut-free and soy-free).
Rice Rolls (飯糰)
Imagine a giant sushi roll but filled with sticky rice, pork floss, pickled radish, and youtiao. This handheld breakfast bomb is ultra-filling and perfect for mornings on the move. Some variations add eggs, mustard greens, or spicy sauce for a flavor punch.
Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯)
While more common for lunch or dinner, some breakfast joints do serve a small bowl of savory, slow-cooked minced pork over rice to start your day strong. It’s rich, aromatic, and deeply Taiwanese.
Milk Tea or Soy Milk Tea (奶茶 / 豆漿紅茶)
Wash it all down with a local favorite: milk tea or a soy milk + black tea combo. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and surprisingly refreshing with all that savory food.
Pork Buns (豬肉包)
are steamed (sometimes baked) buns made from a yeasted flour dough, filled with seasoned ground pork. They come in many forms and sizes, but the general idea is the same: soft bun + savory meat = magic. Wash it all down with a local favorite: milk tea or a soy milk + black tea combo. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and surprisingly refreshing with all that savory food.
Where to Find These Breakfast Delights?
You’ll find these traditional eats everywhere from family-run breakfast shops to big chains like Yonghe Doujiang. The best ones? Usually tucked in local neighborhoods with a small menu, a sizzling griddle, and a line out the door. Taiwanese breakfast is more than just fuel for the day. It’s a beloved tradition, a social ritual, and a flavorful snapshot of Taiwanese culture. Whether you’re a sweet soy milk sipper or a fan tuan fanatic, there’s something in the local breakfast scene that’ll win you over. So next time you’re in Taiwan, skip the hotel buffet and eat like a local and your taste buds will thank you.
Traditional Taiwanese Breakfast Foods
▼ 豆漿
Soy Milk
▼ 米漿
Rice Milk
▼ 燒餅
Clay Oven Rolls
▼ 油條
Fried Dough Sticks
▼ 燒餅油條
Clay Oven Rolls with Fried Dough Stick
▼ 蔥抓餅
Green Onion Cake
▼ 焦糖甜餅
Caramel Bun
▼ 蔥花鹹餅
Green Onion Roll
▼ 蘿蔔絲餅
Dried Radish Roll
▼ 蛋餅
Chinese Omelet
▼ 飯糰
Sticky Rice Balls
▼ 饅頭
Steamed Buns
▼ 豬肉包
Pork Buns
▼ 黑糖饅頭
Brown Sugar Steamed Buns
▼ 菜包
Vegetable Bun
▼ 蘿蔔絲包
Radish Buns
▼ 豆沙包
Bean Buns
▼ 芋泥包
Taro Buns
▼ 芝麻包
Sesame fBuns
▼ 蘿蔔糕
Radish Cake
▼ 韭菜盒
Chive Pocket
▼ 蒸餃
Steamed Dumplings
▼ 蚵仔麵線
Oyster Omelet
▼ 碗粿/米糕
Savory Rice Cake
▼ 瘦肉粥
Lean Meat Congee
▼ 皮蛋瘦肉粥
Century Egg and Lean Meat Congee
▼ 肉鬆粥
Shredded Pork Congee
▼ 廣東粥
Cantonese congee
▼ 地瓜粥
Sweet Potato Congee
▼ 滷肉飯
Braised Pork on Rice
▼ 小籠包
Steamed Pork Buns
▼ 鐵板麵
Teppanyaki Noodles
▼ 蘑菇鐵板麵
Teppanyaki Noodles with Mushroom
▼ 番茄鐵板麵
Teppanyaki Noodles with Tomato
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